Aboriginal body urges forced apprenticeships

by Pamela Nathan

‘National Native Title Council urges forced Aboriginal apprenticeships’, by Patricia Karvelas, The Australian, 10 January 2013. 

Mining magnate Andrew Forrest’s review of the indigenous jobs and training system has been told compulsory apprenticeships for Aboriginal school leavers in remote and regional centres should be introduced. The National Native Title Council – the peak native title body – has strongly recommended the idea in a submission in the government’s review, which is yet to deliver its final report.

Increased employment outcomes has strongly been recommended to the review by the Australian Workforce and Productivity Agency. It said any strategy proposed through the review should include programs through primary and secondary schools training, apprenticeships, mentoring and full-time employment. The National Native Title Agency strongly supports the Central Land Council in its recommendations to support an expansion of the Vocational Education and Training in Schools options for remote-based schools.

It is good to see the endorsement of mining and key workforce agencies and native title councils representing Aboriginal people united in their voice to provide employment and training options for children still at school as a pathway into adulthood and for school leavers thereby providing channels for the future.